Breaking the mold..

A long season is coming to a close. Many of the guys have been counting down the games, innings and even outs needed until the season is up, but personally I have a very different outlook on this subject.

Yea, 142 games in 6 months can take a toll on the body and mind, but like I was telling some of my bullpen mates the other day, I would gladly play an 11 month season with a 1 month break if I could. I know, I know… sounds kind of crazy (‘loco’ like my Latino team mates would say), but this is the game I love. It would be a lot to ask of a players body to be able and available for nearly 280 games in a season, but if the body can remain strong enough, why not?


Ask my wife, I could be at the field at 1 for my game, play at 7, get home at 11 and if ESPN happens to air it, I would watch another game if it's on TV, until I fall to sleep around 1-2 am. I love this game, I can’t get enough. At a young age, I was given options on what sports to play by my folks, and my dad and I fell in love with baseball around the same time when I was 9-10. We watched almost every Seattle Mariners game that was televised, as well as Toronto Blue Jays games on CBC and Sports net in Canada. This didn’t stop, and never has, even when I visit home for holidays and visits these days my dad and I never pass up a game on TV, that now goes for Canucks hockey too.


Anyways, back to the point, if my arm could handle it, which I think it could since it feels pretty strong these days, I think a long season would definitely be bearable. I’m sure my wife would frown upon this post, but if she were to be able to travel and or be with me season round, I’m sure she would be fine with this idea.


I just don’t see how some guys are so ready to be done with the season, what do we do in the off season? Most of our guys (in double A) make 1600 a month, so do not make enough money during the season to cover them throughout the whole off season, in turn meaning they need off season jobs. My demeaning off season job last year was working as a clerk at a local supermarket. I have a bachelors, I am way to qualified to have to put up with a 20 hours a week, 10 dollars an hour job that consists of corralling carts in from the parking lot and doing price checks.


Either way, the 11 months season will never happen, so this is why many guys are hooking themselves up with teams in Venezuela, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico right now making decent money from October to January. Baseball can be year round, you just need to find the right places to play.

I have no closing point to this, but saying I am ready to finish strong... and watch out.